Privilege and degradation in Winston-Salem's sanitation department

Winston-Salem City Council has received a recommendation from a citizens' budget review and efficiency committee to tighten up the city's policy on backyard garbage service. The current policy requires only that residents submit an application attesting that no one in the household is able to move the cart to the curb.

About 5 percent of residences in Winston-Salem are exempt from curbside pickup and receive special backyard service, compared to about 1 percent in other cities across the state, including Greensboro. The committee recommends that, to save money, the city require a doctor's note from residents who want backyard service, bringing Winston-Salem in line with other cities.

Read about the discontent caused by Winston-Salem's backyard service policy in this week's YES! Weekly cover story.

UPDATE: Councilman Dan Besse, who represents the Southwest Ward (via Facebook): "Thus far a majority of the Winston-Salem council has come down on the side of the elderly, frail and disabled. That's my vote and I'm sticking to it."